On February 20 2005, the Israeli government approved an updated route for the Separation Barrier. According to the map published by the Ministry of Defense, sections of the revised route will run close to or along the Green Line, thus reducing the harm caused to the daily life of Palestinians living in proximity to the route.

This is the case for example in the South Mt. Hebron area, where the original route would have run deep within the West Bank, cutting off tens of thousands of dunams of land from the West Bank. In addition, several of the originally planned enclaves were eliminated. For example, although the route will still run around the Gush Etzion bloc and the Palestinians communities near these settlements (Batir, Husan, Wadi Fukin, and Nahalin) will therefore remain west of the barrier,

the additional barrier which was to surround these communities has been cancelled and the residents will have access to the city of Bethlehem.

Despite these improvements, the new route does not eliminate the "fingers" which reach deep into the West Bank to surround the Ariel and Qedumim settlements. In addition, a new section of the Barrier has been added around Ma'ale Adumim and the settlements near it. In these locations, the government approved the route in principle. More detailed plans will be developed and will require approval by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense. Given the central location of these settlements, constructing the barrier around them will have widespread ramifications on the freedom of movement for the Palestinian population in the West Bank.

Within several days, B'Tselem will publish more detailed information on the new route and its human rights implications, including an updated map.